Former divas return to reminisce in Sondheim’s ‘Follies’

Kipp Simmns, J.C. Dressler, Tracy Fox and John Edmonds star in The Barn Players' version of Stephen Sondheim's "Follies."

Vida Bikales

Musical theater continues to thrive in Kansas City when The Barn Players present Stephen Sondheim’s successful musical, “Follies,” opening Friday, April 18, according a Barn spokesman.

Stephen Sondheim’s famous stage musical opens Friday, April 18 and runs weekends through May 4, with both evening and Sunday matinee performances at the theatre, 6219 Martway in Mission, KS.

“Follies” won eight Tony Awards and tells the story of a reunion of past performers from“Weismann’s Follies,” held in a crumbling Broadway theatre, about to be torn down, andfeatures the music and songs that won fame over the years, Pat Paton, media director, said.

“FOLLIES” is considered one of Sondheim’s finest musicals with songs including suchBroadway classics as: “Broadway Baby,” “I’m Still Here,” “Losing My Mind,” “Rain On The Roof,” “Beautiful Girls,” “Could I leave You?,” “One More Kiss,” and a host of others.

Sondheim’s “Follies” debuted on Broadway in 1971 and included Dorothy Collins, Alexis Smith, and Yvonne De Carlo in the original cast as the divas who reunite to reminisce their life on the stage in previous Follies, similar to the famous Zigfield Follies.

The production will have audiences on their feet, clapping and cheering for more. “FOLLIES” is directed by Eric Magnus with musical direction by Tim Braselton. The show is rated “PG”.

The Barn Players production of “Follies” features the largest cast ever assembled in thetheatre’s 59 year history and spot-lights some of the area’s finest performers and singers, Pat Paton, media representative for The Barn Players, said.

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Bob Evans taught high school Journalism and English for over 30 years. Now he writes what he enjoys and what inspires him. It's amazing what awaits in Kansas City for him to discover and report/review.
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